Category: Phoenix Suns Blog

Suns blog – Phoenix Suns blog, on Suns basketball news, rumors and more

Suns recall Alando Tucker from D-League

The Phoenix Suns have recalled swingman Alando Tucker from the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.

The 6-6, 205-pound Tucker was originally assigned to Iowa on Dec. 26 and appeared in two games, both wins, for the Energy.  The second-year player was selected by Phoenix with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft. 

The Suns (18-12) tonight host the L.A. Clippers (8-23) at US Airways Center at 7 p.m. as Phoenix attempts to win its third-straight game and improve to a season-high seven games above .500.

Shaq helps Suns beat Grizzlies without Nash

The AP reports: While Shaquille O’Neal was moving into eighth place on the NBA scoring list, his Phoenix Suns teammates were putting on the defensive clamps. Leandro Barbosa scored 28 points, Shaquille O’Neal added 24 to move into eighth place on the NBA scoring list and the Phoenix Suns beat the Memphis Grizzlies 101-89 Tuesday night without ailing star Steve Nash. The two-time MVP sat out with back spasms, but Barbosa filled in admirably. He connected on 10 of 18 shots and scored 22 points in the second half. Phoenix also overcame the loss of big man Amare Stoudemire, ejected in the second quarter after his second technical… Hakim Warrick led Memphis with 25 points, while Marc Gasol finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Rudy Gay had 14 points and O.J. Mayo scored 12, but he missed 16 of 20 shots—including his last 13.

Suns overcome Nash’s bad back to beat Thunder

The AP reports: When his two-time MVP left the game with back spasms, Phoenix Suns coach Terry Porter ran his offense through another former MVP nearly twice the point guard’s size: Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal moved into ninth place on the NBA’s career scoring list with 28 points and 12 rebounds, and the Suns overcame the loss of Steve Nash to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-102 on Monday night…. Jason Richardson scored 20 points and reserve Matt Barnes had 19 for Phoenix, which snapped a four-game road losing streak. Phoenix held Oklahoma City scoreless for the first 5 minutes of the fourth quarter and forced eight of the Thunder’s 15 turnovers in the final period to put away the game… Rookie Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 31 and Jeff Green 22 to lead Oklahoma City, which fizzled after a hot start.

Steve Nash has back spasms

The AP reports: Former MVP Steve Nash left the Phoenix Suns’ game against Oklahoma City in the first quarter Monday night with back spasms and was not expected to return.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I’m still annoyed I didn’t go earlier to Nash’s soccer game in an NYC park last year. I saw some of it, but from a lousy angle. Now, what does that have to do with Nash having back spasms? Absolutely nothing. Hope those clear up.

Suns assign Alando Tucker to D-League

The Phoenix Suns Friday assigned second year forward Alando Tucker to the team’s NBA Development League affiliate Iowa Energy.  Tucker is the  12th player assigned from an NBA team to an NBA D-League affiliate this season.

The 6-6, 205-pound Tucker was originally selected by the Suns with the 29th overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft and played in six games for Phoenix during his rookie season, averaging 3.7 points and 1.3 rebounds.   Tucker has yet to make an appearance with the Suns this season after missing the first 22 games due to injury, including 19 following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in November.

No stranger to the NBA D-League, Tucker was assigned to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds from Phoenix last season, when he appeared in 21 games and averaged 27.7 points and 6.0 rebounds.

Dec 25: Spurs 91, Suns 90

The AP reports: Roger Mason didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter until there were 4.3 seconds left. Then he came in and made the biggest shot of the game. Mason’s 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer Thursday gave the San Antonio Spurs a 91-90 victory over the Phoenix Suns… Tony Parker scored 27 and Tim Duncan had 25 points and 17 rebounds as the Spurs won their fourth straight. Amare Stoudemire had 25 points and 13 rebounds and Shaquille O’Neal 23 points and 12 boards for the Suns, who led most of the afternoon but never by more than eight in the second half… O’Neal was 9-of-16 at the foul line to become the only player other than Wilt Chamberlain to miss 5,000 career free throws. Steve Nash had 13 points. His eight assists made him the 13th NBA player to reach 7,000 for his career. Porter is among the other 12.

Suns to assign Alando Tucker to D-League

The Phoenix Suns tomorrow will assign swingman Alando Tucker to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.

The 6-6, 205-pound Tucker was selected by Phoenix with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft.  The second-year player from Wisconsin has not yet made his season debut with the Suns in 2008-09 after missing the first 22 games due to injury, including 19 following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in November.

Suns sign Dee Brown

The Phoenix Suns have signed free-agent guard Daniel “Dee” Brown to a contract, the club announced today.

A two-year NBA performer, Brown was originally selected by the Utah Jazz with the 46th overall pick (second round) in the 2006 NBA Draft.  The 6-0, 181-pound guard spent his rookie season in Salt Lake City where he appeared in 49 regular season games off the bench and eight more in the playoffs.  The 24-year-old played in Turkey for Galatasaray Café Crown in 2007-08 where he averaged 12.3 points during the regular season and 14.7 points, 3.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds during postseason play. Brown signs with the Suns after appearing in 17 games (11 starts) and seeing 13.7 minutes of action with the Washington Wizards to begin 2008-09.  He now owns career averages of 2.0 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.8 assists in 68 NBA contests.

Brown’s stellar career at the University of Illinois was highlighted by his 2006 win of the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard in his senior season.  The Illini standout led the Big Ten in assists (5.8) and ranked 18th in the nation overall.  Brown posted those numbers while leading his team in scoring average (14.2), steals (1.61), minutes (35.8) and free-throw percentage (.757) and leading the team in scoring in 15 of 33 games.

Nicknamed “The One Man Fastbreak” in college due to his quickness, Brown was selected the Sporting News’ National Player of the Year and named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as a junior.  Most notably, he became the first consensus First Team All-American at Illinois since 1952 after helping to lead the Illini to a 29-0 start and a berth in the national title game.

Brown is a graduate of Proviso East High in Maywood, Ill., the same high school attended by Celtics coach Doc Rivers and San Antonio Spurs guard Michael Finley.

Dec 18: Blazers 124, Suns 119

The AP reports: Brandon Roy kept scoring until the Portland Trail Blazers had finally finished off the Phoenix Suns. Roy scored a career-high 52 points, including a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1:01 left, in Portland’s 124-119 comeback victory over Thursday night… Roy was 14-of-27 from the field and 19-of-21 at the line. He topped his career high of 38 set last Friday night in a double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, and ended up two points short of the franchise record of 54 set by Damon Stoudamire against New Orleans on Jan. 14, 2005… Blazers guard Steve Blake matched his season high with 22 points and added 10 assists, and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 10 of his 16 points in the first quarter to help Portland improve to 17-10. With the victory, Portland ended an 11-game losing streak to Phoenix dating to March 12, 2006. Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 23 points, Matt Barnes added 22, Shaquille O’Neal had 19, and Steve Nash finished with 15 points and 11 assists.